The National Cancer Prevention Center was initiated in 2019 by the DKFZ and German Cancer Aid as part of a long-term strategic partnership. It brings together the DKFZ's existing research activities under one roof and integrates research, education and training, public outreach, policy advice, and outreach initiatives. Together with its partners, the National Cancer Prevention Center further develops cancer prevention and systematically expands it throughout Germany.
Memorandum on Cancer Prevention Research in Germany
The Memorandum on Cancer Prevention Research in Germany, drawn up by the DKFZ and German Cancer Aid and published in 2023, shows where there is a backlog in cancer prevention in Germany. The Memorandum also describes relevant fields of action and approaches to solutions, which are addressed by the National Cancer Prevention Center.
The Progress Report 2025 highlights the successes of national initiatives while also emphasizing the need to further strengthen cancer prevention in a targeted manner.
Prevention offers the opportunity to reduce the incidence of cancer and sustainably improve the quality of life of many people. The National Cancer Prevention Center aims to develop evidence-based measures and programs and make them accessible to society as a whole. The National Cancer Prevention Center serves as an interface between science, practice and the population and brings together all the components essential for effective prevention under one roof:
- High-level prevention research from basic biological research to studies
- Development of programs that can be quickly translated into practice for the general public
- Evidence-based information and advice for both the general public and political decision-makers
- The targeted advanced training of prevention experts and prevention researchers
A long-term goal of the National Cancer Prevention Center is to provide all citizens with nationwide access to personalized prevention advice and participation in prevention studies. So-called Prevention Outpatient Clinics are being set up for this purpose - the first one already exists in Heidelberg. In future, these Prevention Outpatient Clinics will offer personal consultations and test innovative prevention and early detection measures based on the latest scientific findings as part of studies.
The National Cancer Prevention Center is emerging as a flagship institution that combines prevention, prevention research, training, and public outreach. This holistic approach, covering all aspects of cancer prevention, is designed to serve as a model throughout Europe.
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Michael Baumann, Chairman & Scientific Director DKFZ
The research work carried out at the National Cancer Prevention Center is supported by multi-centre studies conducted in collaboration with strong partners from university medicine such as the Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCC) initiated and funded by German Cancer Aid and the DKFZ's translational centers, the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT).
In order to bring new findings into application quickly and efficiently, the National Cancer Prevention Center relies on interdisciplinary teams that work together in so-called Cancer Prevention Boards. Here, experts from various fields - such as basic and applied research, biology and epidemiology - exchange ideas in order to develop innovative ways of preventing and detecting cancer at an early stage.
In addition, the National Cancer Prevention Center cooperates with medical practices, specialized institutions, public health services as well as health insurance companies, businesses, educational institutions and civil society actors. This ensures that the prevention measures developed can be implemented on a broad and sustainable basis.
In order to give all citizens access to the services of the National Cancer Prevention Center, it is crucial to address them specifically in their living environments, such as educational institutions, companies or leisure areas. Such measures should bring prevention as close as possible to people's everyday lives and thus increase its effectiveness.
According to current knowledge, four out of ten cases of cancer could be prevented through a healthy lifestyle and interventions such as vaccinations. This potential is not being utilized in the fight against cancer: The National Cancer Prevention Center will be a guide to fully harnessing the possibilities of cancer prevention.
Dr. Franz Kohlhuber, Chairman German Cancer Aid
Another important focus of the National Cancer Prevention Center is the advanced training of prevention experts. The School of Prevention ensures that highly qualified young researchers as well as non-academic specialists receive advanced training in the field of cancer prevention. Programs such as the Cancer Prevention Graduate School (CPGS) prepare young scientists to tackle the future challenges of cancer prevention in an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary manner.
Overall, the National Cancer Prevention Center pursues a comprehensive approach that closely links science, practice and the population. The National Cancer Prevention Center thus creates a dynamic and sustainable long-term structure that makes it possible to provide many stakeholders from society and the healthcare sector - such as sports clubs, educational institutions, company canteens, corporate health management departments and medical practices - with evidence-based knowledge from research and support them in implementing innovative prevention programs.